Come Write With Me: Homework

"Being a writer is like having homework for the rest of your life.”

If we writers believe Lawrence Kasden, we are forever in school. Though I enjoyed my school years, I don’t want to repeat them. However, I can see the connection—if I want to produce work that is saleable, I must become more disciplined. That means I should work at my writing, each day if possible, set certain goals, strive to learn more—even give myself homework.

My problem is I don’t schedule (discipline)  time away from the other things in my life to do what I love most—write. I have a husband and home to care for, I volunteer as a librarian for our local senior center, and I teach several writing classes. When do I have time for homework? When do you?

We all procrastinate. We have more time than we believe we do; we just don’t use the extra time well. We’ve heard it all—get up an hour early or stay up an extra hour to write. Write on the train or bus as we head for work (in Southern California we drive everywhere, so skip this one). Use your laptop on planes or while waiting in the airport. Those are the usual suggestions given. Can you think of any unique snatches of time in which to write?

I keep writing material in every room in my house, in my handbag or briefcase, and in my car. During my pre-Christmas baking, I sat on a kitchen stool and wrote in the seven-to-ten minute intervals between batches of cookies. I write in the car while waiting on my hubby to attend to banking, get a haircut, or even while he plays a few games of pool (billiards) with his buddies. My bathroom holds a mini-office with pens, pad on clipboard, and books. Many a draft has come out of what would have otherwise been lost time. Do you watch a few favorite television shows? Think of how many self-imposed homework assignments you could accomplish by merely writing during the commercials.

Assign yourself homework. No math equations necessary. Set a goal to work on your current project or make notes for a new one. You’ll be surprised to find that time can be found to complete all of your homework.

Discuss this article here.

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